Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 14491
Submitted: June 15, 2026 at 11:47:47 PM
First Name: Adeeti
Last Name: Tiwari
Pronoun: She/Her
Student Number: 20427986
Email: 23vfp1@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BSH
Plan: LISC
Level of Study: 2
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Waive the requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Dr. Dorit Naaman,
I am writing to respectfully petition the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for three years. I am requesting permission to continue my undergraduate studies without interruption, as my academic difficulties this past semester were the direct result of a specific, documented medical circumstance, the severe adverse effects of a newly prescribed medication, that has since been identified, addressed, and resolved by my physician.
Extenuating Circumstances: As the Faculty is aware from my previous successful petition, I entered this academic year managing a PTSD diagnosis stemming from prolonged domestic abuse. My physician at Student Wellness Services supported that petition with documentation confirming that a forced withdrawal would be detrimental rather than beneficial to my recovery. I returned to studies this past semester, the Winter 2026 term, with that medical opinion on record, a semester's leave behind me that helped me regroup, and a genuine commitment to rebuilding my academic career.
That commitment was evident throughout most of this semester. I entered with no medication, was receiving regular counselling, and was enrolled in Political Studies courses directly aligned with my intended major and career, the intersection of politics, journalism, and research. For the first portion of the semester I was on top of my coursework, performing well, and even receiving A grades in my course assessments for the first time in some time. During this same period I was accepted to several fellowships and internships on the strength of academic work submitted in my applications, and received strong letters of recommendation from mentors here at Queen's who have seen my work directly. This is not the record of a disengaged student at all.
In the final weeks of the semester, my physician prescribed Wellbutrin (bupropion) as part of my ongoing treatment plan. The medication produced severe side effects that acutely impaired my cognitive functioning and concentration at the most critical point in the academic term. These effects were entirely unforeseen. My physician prescribed it believing it would benefit my treatment, and the reaction was beyond my control. I missed crucial assignments and was unable to act on the course drop deadline before it passed. When I spoke recently with Dr. Billings about what had happened, she immediately recommended I stop taking the medication. The cause of the academic disruption at the end of this semester has been identified and eliminated from my treatment plan entirely. Documentation confirming the prescription, its timing, and the nature of the side effects is enclosed with this petition.
Why a Three-Year Withdrawal Would Be Disproportionate: I want to address this directly, because I believe it is relevant to the Faculty's decision. A three-year withdrawal would return me to my parents' home in Texas, away from my academic progress and every support structure that has contributed to my recovery; my physician, my counsellor, my academic advisors, and the mentors at Queen’s who have witnessed my commitment and engagement in my studies. Dr. Billings previously documented in writing that removing me from this environment would be detrimental rather than beneficial for my petition last year, and nothing about my current circumstances changes that analysis.
My physician is aware of the adverse reaction and my medication has been stopped. I remain connected to Student Wellness Services, continue to receive counselling and medical support, and have the full suite of campus supports that were identified in my previous petition. The pattern here is beyond important as I was stable and succeeding at the beginning and middle of this semester. The failure was concentrated entirely in the final weeks, following the introduction of a medication that has since been discontinued. What happened this semester was not a chronic pattern of disengagement, but a discrete medical event at the worst possible time in the academic calendar.
I am not asking the Faculty to overlook my record. I am asking it to weigh the specific cause of this semester's failures against the clear evidence that I am capable of succeeding, and that I was succeeding, when that cause is not present. With my medication stabilized, my support systems intact, and a program of study I am genuinely invested in, I am well-positioned to demonstrate the academic performance I am capable of.
I am more than willing to meet with the Dean in person to discuss this petition, answer any questions you have, and demonstrate my commitment to a clear academic plan going forward.
I do not take lightly what I am asking of this Faculty, and I do not take lightly the opportunity I am asking to be given.
Thank you sincerely for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Adeeti Amit Tiwari
I am writing to respectfully petition the Faculty's decision that I must withdraw from Queen's for three years. I am requesting permission to continue my undergraduate studies without interruption, as my academic difficulties this past semester were the direct result of a specific, documented medical circumstance, the severe adverse effects of a newly prescribed medication, that has since been identified, addressed, and resolved by my physician.
Extenuating Circumstances: As the Faculty is aware from my previous successful petition, I entered this academic year managing a PTSD diagnosis stemming from prolonged domestic abuse. My physician at Student Wellness Services supported that petition with documentation confirming that a forced withdrawal would be detrimental rather than beneficial to my recovery. I returned to studies this past semester, the Winter 2026 term, with that medical opinion on record, a semester's leave behind me that helped me regroup, and a genuine commitment to rebuilding my academic career.
That commitment was evident throughout most of this semester. I entered with no medication, was receiving regular counselling, and was enrolled in Political Studies courses directly aligned with my intended major and career, the intersection of politics, journalism, and research. For the first portion of the semester I was on top of my coursework, performing well, and even receiving A grades in my course assessments for the first time in some time. During this same period I was accepted to several fellowships and internships on the strength of academic work submitted in my applications, and received strong letters of recommendation from mentors here at Queen's who have seen my work directly. This is not the record of a disengaged student at all.
In the final weeks of the semester, my physician prescribed Wellbutrin (bupropion) as part of my ongoing treatment plan. The medication produced severe side effects that acutely impaired my cognitive functioning and concentration at the most critical point in the academic term. These effects were entirely unforeseen. My physician prescribed it believing it would benefit my treatment, and the reaction was beyond my control. I missed crucial assignments and was unable to act on the course drop deadline before it passed. When I spoke recently with Dr. Billings about what had happened, she immediately recommended I stop taking the medication. The cause of the academic disruption at the end of this semester has been identified and eliminated from my treatment plan entirely. Documentation confirming the prescription, its timing, and the nature of the side effects is enclosed with this petition.
Why a Three-Year Withdrawal Would Be Disproportionate: I want to address this directly, because I believe it is relevant to the Faculty's decision. A three-year withdrawal would return me to my parents' home in Texas, away from my academic progress and every support structure that has contributed to my recovery; my physician, my counsellor, my academic advisors, and the mentors at Queen’s who have witnessed my commitment and engagement in my studies. Dr. Billings previously documented in writing that removing me from this environment would be detrimental rather than beneficial for my petition last year, and nothing about my current circumstances changes that analysis.
My physician is aware of the adverse reaction and my medication has been stopped. I remain connected to Student Wellness Services, continue to receive counselling and medical support, and have the full suite of campus supports that were identified in my previous petition. The pattern here is beyond important as I was stable and succeeding at the beginning and middle of this semester. The failure was concentrated entirely in the final weeks, following the introduction of a medication that has since been discontinued. What happened this semester was not a chronic pattern of disengagement, but a discrete medical event at the worst possible time in the academic calendar.
I am not asking the Faculty to overlook my record. I am asking it to weigh the specific cause of this semester's failures against the clear evidence that I am capable of succeeding, and that I was succeeding, when that cause is not present. With my medication stabilized, my support systems intact, and a program of study I am genuinely invested in, I am well-positioned to demonstrate the academic performance I am capable of.
I am more than willing to meet with the Dean in person to discuss this petition, answer any questions you have, and demonstrate my commitment to a clear academic plan going forward.
I do not take lightly what I am asking of this Faculty, and I do not take lightly the opportunity I am asking to be given.
Thank you sincerely for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Adeeti Amit Tiwari
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Should this petition be granted, I have developed a concrete and detailed plan for achieving academic success, built around the three areas that matter most to my stability: academic structure, medical continuity, and proactive communication.
Academically, I will continue in the Political Studies program, where my performance this past semester demonstrated clearly that I can succeed when my circumstances are stable. I am currently enrolled in five summer courses, which reflects my immediate commitment to making up ground and my readiness to continue. Going forward I will consult with Academic Advising before every registration period to ensure my course load is appropriately calibrated to my circumstances. I will prioritize building my GPA steadily and consistently over overloading any single term. I am also aware of the GPA requirements associated with returning from academic probation and I intend to meet them.
Medically, I am no longer taking Wellbutrin and Dr. Billings is fully informed of my adverse reaction. Any future adjustments to my treatment plan will be made collaboratively with my physician and with the academic calendar explicitly in mind, ensuring that no medication change coincides with a critical assessment period. I will continue regular scheduled appointments with Dr. Billings and my counsellor throughout each term as a matter of routine, not only in moments of difficulty. These are not new resources I am promising to access. They are relationships I have actively maintained for well over a year, and that have already proven effective. This very consistency is what allowed me to perform well earlier this semester and I intend to maintain it without interruption.
In terms of communication and accessibility, I was actively in contact with both my professors and my accessibility advisor this past semester, and I intend to sustain those relationships going forward. I am also willing to meet with the Associate Dean or Academic Advising at any point during my studies to review my progress and ensure I remain on track. I do not take the opportunity I am requesting lightly.
Academically, I will continue in the Political Studies program, where my performance this past semester demonstrated clearly that I can succeed when my circumstances are stable. I am currently enrolled in five summer courses, which reflects my immediate commitment to making up ground and my readiness to continue. Going forward I will consult with Academic Advising before every registration period to ensure my course load is appropriately calibrated to my circumstances. I will prioritize building my GPA steadily and consistently over overloading any single term. I am also aware of the GPA requirements associated with returning from academic probation and I intend to meet them.
Medically, I am no longer taking Wellbutrin and Dr. Billings is fully informed of my adverse reaction. Any future adjustments to my treatment plan will be made collaboratively with my physician and with the academic calendar explicitly in mind, ensuring that no medication change coincides with a critical assessment period. I will continue regular scheduled appointments with Dr. Billings and my counsellor throughout each term as a matter of routine, not only in moments of difficulty. These are not new resources I am promising to access. They are relationships I have actively maintained for well over a year, and that have already proven effective. This very consistency is what allowed me to perform well earlier this semester and I intend to maintain it without interruption.
In terms of communication and accessibility, I was actively in contact with both my professors and my accessibility advisor this past semester, and I intend to sustain those relationships going forward. I am also willing to meet with the Associate Dean or Academic Advising at any point during my studies to review my progress and ensure I remain on track. I do not take the opportunity I am requesting lightly.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC